My Blog

Posts for: May, 2015

Discover the best way to handle your dentures to promote a healthier smile.

Now that you’ve finally gotten your new dentures from your Lincolnwood dentist Dr. Robert Silvers, DMD, you want to know exactly how to care for your new smile. If you want your dentures to last you, follow these helpful at-home oral care tips.

Handle carefully: Even though dentures can hold up against some of the powerful chewing forces your jaws can dish out, this oral appliance isn’t invisible. The clasps or plastic attachments can be bent or damaged if handled improperly or too harshly. We also recommend handling your dentures over a towel, so if you drop them they are less likely to incur damage.

Clean daily: Just as you would with natural teeth, you want to also make sure your dentures stay clean. Use a denture cleanser to help remove food and other debris from your smile. Always remember, however, to never brush your dentures while they are still inside your mouth.

Brush your mouth: Teeth aren’t the only spaces where food and debris can linger. That’s why it’s important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your tongue and cheeks. Be sure to do this anytime after you remove your dentures.

Soak dentures: Dentures should never be allowed to dry out; otherwise they will lose their shape. Therefore, always place your dentures in a denture-soaking product overnight. If you have questions about the kind of denture solution to use, talk to your Lincolnwood dentist Dr. Silvers about how to properly store your dentures overnight.

See your Lincolnwood dentist: When you come in for your denture fitting we will also talk to you about how often you need to come in for a dental cleaning and exam. Usually, this is every six months; however, depending on your oral health, we may recommend that you come in more often. If you start to notice slippage, sore spots or loose dentures, then it’s also time to make an appointment.

Whether it’s time for your six-month dental cleaning or you just have a question about caring for your dentures, your Lincolnwood dentist is here to help. Contact Dr. Silvers at The Cosmetic and Implant Dental Center in Lincolnwood anytime at (847) 675-7010. We are here for you and your smile.

Bacteria are bad… right? They can cause diseases like pneumonia, strep throat, and tooth decay. They are the reason we wash our hands with soap (or antibacterial gels) and cook (or refrigerate) our food. Yet it turns out that bacteria are also necessary to keep our bodies healthy — and new research is showing just how important these tiny microorganisms are to our well-being. Here are five facts you should know about bacteria.

The bacteria in our bodies outnumber our cells by a factor of 10 to 1. An estimated 100 trillion bacteria live inside the average human — but because they’re so small, they make up only 1-3 percent of our body mass.

The collection of bacteria we harbor is called our “microbiome.” Like the groundbreaking study of human DNA called the Human Genome Project, recent research is leading to a “map” of our bacterial makeup. This revolutionary study is called — you guessed it — the Human Microbiome Project.

No two people have exactly the same microbiome. But in general, the bacteria that live in a particular spot on the body (the mouth, for example) play the same roles in different individuals. Research has also shown that a healthy microbiome looks very different from a diseased microbiome.

In terms of bacteria, the mouth is one of the best-understood areas of the body. It has long been known that tooth decay can result when “bad” oral bacteria begin to outnumber their “good” counterparts. Now we are gaining a better understanding of how certain lifestyle factors — like cigarette smoking — may influence the bacterial balance in the mouth.

Understanding the microbiome may lead to new treatments for disease. Researchers hope that one day, certain serious diseases could be controlled by bacterial “transplants” that re-balance an individual’s microbiome. Maintaining a healthy microbiome could also help prevent many diseases.

So by all means, don’t stop brushing your teeth or washing your hands — this helps control bacteria that could harm you — but do remember that not all bacteria are harmful. One day, an infusion of bacteria might just cure your illness.

Categories:

Your smile is often the first thing people will notice about your appearance. Your smile leaves a lasting impression. With Dr. Silvers' more than 35 years of training and experience treating the most discriminating clients of the north shore, you can expect an exceptional dental experience, customized care and healthy, beautiful lasting results.

The impact of a spectacular smile - look younger, feel better, enjoy more confidence and success.